Braunton to Instow
20th May 2023 | Miles 12.0 | Elevation gain 186ft
A 12.0 mile walk, mostly following the Tarka Trail, along the north bank of the River Taw, into Barnstaple, across the busy Taw Bridge, then back along the south bank of the Taw, past Fremington Quay and ending the walk at Instow, in time for dinner before catching the tidal ferry back to Appledore.
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Getting there and back
We caught the very long 1hr 20 mins 21A bus from Seagate Hotel in Appledore to the Barton Lane stop in Braunton, from where it's a short stroll to start the walk at Velator Bridge. At the end of the day, we used the tidal ferry to get back from Instow to Appledore.
Weather conditions
Pleasant and sunny, perfect walking conditions. But unfortunately, perfect cycling conditions as well, we counted over 300 bikes that passed us!
Walking difficulty
Easy - very flat with mostly tarmac and accessible paths. That means sharing with bicycles, and with the dog on the lead, that made the walk seem a bit harder!
The story of our day in photos
.jpg "Awaiting the bus on the waterfront at Appledore")
Awaiting the bus on the waterfront at Appledore
.jpg "That's Instow across the estuary")
That's Instow across the estuary
.jpg "Start of the walk near the Velator Bridge just outside Braunton")
Start of the walk near the Velator Bridge just outside Braunton
.jpg "It's a multi-coloured bear!")
It's a multi-coloured bear!
.jpg "On the Tarka Trail - flat and mostly tarmac heading around the estuary of the River Taw")
On the Tarka Trail - flat and mostly tarmac heading around the estuary of the River Taw
.jpg "Tide dropping in the River Taw estuary")
Tide dropping in the River Taw estuary
.jpg "Crossing the Taw Bridge in Barnstaple")
Crossing the Taw Bridge in Barnstaple
.jpg "Looking back towards the Taw Bridge")
Looking back towards the Taw Bridge
.jpg "Another bear!")
Another bear!
.jpg "Coffee and ice cream break at Fremington Quay")
Coffee and ice cream break at Fremington Quay
.jpg "Bikes and more bikes. The flat tarmac of the Tarka Trail makes it a very popular biking spot, we were passed by over 300 bikes on this day!")
Bikes and more bikes. The flat tarmac of the Tarka Trail makes it a very popular biking spot, we were passed by over 300 bikes on this day!
.jpg "Off the tarmac at last")
Off the tarmac at last
.jpg "The path leaves the Tarka Trail for a mile or so, near the Isley Marsh Nature Reserve - a welcome respite from the bikes!")
The path leaves the Tarka Trail for a mile or so, near the Isley Marsh Nature Reserve - a welcome respite from the bikes!
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.jpg "On the ferry back to Appledore - looking back towards our dinner spot at The Boathouse, Instow")
On the ferry back to Appledore - looking back towards our dinner spot at The Boathouse, Instow
.jpg "Walking back home from the ferry through Appledore's narrow streets")
Walking back home from the ferry through Appledore's narrow streets
Useful links
